Welcome to the 30-Day Organize-athon!
In today’s 5 minutes we’re going to express-declutter the kids’ toys.
Inhale: clarity, freedom, order. We’re gonna need it!
Day 17: Declutter The Kids’ Toys
Note: Decide on the extent to which you need to consult/involve the kids. This will depend on their ages and your family style.
Step 1: Grab a large bag or box. Depending on which option you choose in Step 3, you may need additional boxes/bags.
Step 2: Gather all the kids’ toys into one location. (If this alone takes more than 5 minutes it doesn’t count!)
Choose one of the following options:
Option A
Step 3: Quickly going through the collection, toss into the bag/box any toys that:
- Your kids have outgrown
- Are broken or dangerous
- Have been divested of batteries because they’re so annoying
- Are in poor condition
- Are doubles.
Step 4: Extract any toys that are safe and in good condition for a charity bag. Toss the rest.
Option B
Step 3: Give each child a large bag/box and ask them to fill it up with their favorite toys – the ones they want to keep. Explain that the rest can be given to kids who don’t have so many toys and would really love some more. (This may take more than 5 minutes, but perhaps you can go do something else while the kids ponder their collections?)
Step 4: Of the remaining toys, extract any that are safe and in good condition for a charity bag. Toss the rest.
And you’re done!
Got an Extra 5 Minutes?
Check your own toy collection (um, please keep comments G-rated for this blog 
) for:
- Ancient, out-of-date or falling-apart board games
- Surplus packs of playing cards
- Previous versions of games consoles
- Computer/video games no one plays anymore.
Now won’t everyone have more fun with the good stuff that’s left?
The 30-Day Organize-athon Mantra
Move fast. Don’t overthink. Let it go!
Leave Your Comment Below…
Pease leave your comment below and say you’ve completed today’s task.
See you tomorrow!
[Image by aussiegall]
This one was half done at the old place and half done here. We haven’t unpacked the video game system or board games yet(those being winter or indoor items they aren’t being used yet). The kids haven’t noticed anything missing AND they seem to have an easier time keeping their areas straightened up. YAY
Anything that helps kids keep their things tidy definitely deserves a big YAY! Yay Stacey!! 🙂
I did this as the 8th thing (when I needed the motivation of a quick job in the middle of my crazy “clothes room” sorting). I do not have children, but I am a bit of a crazy Auntie, so still had toys to sort. The funny moment was when I thought I was done and then reaslied that the “Extra 5 Minutes” referred to my own toys (of which there are many more and that probably says something too). So in trying to not get overwhelmed that these 5 minute jobs easily mushroom for me I have tasked sorting my junk room and craft room for another day. Hope that is not cheating!
Not cheating at all Amanda! You’re doing great, and you’ll get the most out of the 30 days if you don’t burn yourself out. Start again next month, or when you have an easy month. 🙂
Lots of awesome ideas! Thanks for the referral. I really like how you broke it down into 2 choices- with kids help and without.
No kids to pick up after anymore but there is always a box of their toys (that I have kept) to go through 🙂
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